The Lesser Vasa Parrot or Black Parrot (Coracopsis nigra) is a black coloured parrot native to Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte, and Seychelles. The genus has recently been split into 3 similar species:
Black Parrot Coracopsis nigra is being split into C. nigra, C. barklyi and C.sibilans, following the application of criteria set out by Tobias et al. (2010), as well as consultation of genetic evidence and associated comments (Kundu et al. 2012, Joseph et al. 2012, N. Bunbury in litt. 2014).
I got several sightings of Black Parrots at Ankarafantsika but not very good photos as they were pretty high up. I also got a fleeting glimpse of one flying away at Andasibe and I didn’t get any photos at all. Both these parks as well as Ranomafana are good if you want to try your luck. Lesser Vasa Parrots have a wider range than Greater Vasa Parrots.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LESSER (BLACK) VASA PARROTS
VIDEO
I’m not having much luck finding videos of these birds in the wild. There are a couple brief clips on IBC.
Here’s a YT clip of a Black Parrot in an aviary.
And here is the recently split species – the Seychelles Parrot